“Taking the general’s hand he asked: ‘General, how do you feel?’
“He replied: ‘Easy, but willing to die if God and my country think I have fulfilled my destiny, and done my duty.’
“The Rev. Dr. Peterkin visited him, and prayed with him. He requested Dr. Peterkin to sing ‘Rock of Ages,’ and joined in the singing of the hymn.
“During the afternoon, he asked Dr. Brewer whether it were not possible for him to survive the night. The doctor frankly told him that death was close at hand.
“He then said: ‘I am resigned if it be God’s will; but I would like to see my wife. But God’s will be done.’
“Again he said to Dr. Brewer: ‘I am going fast now; I am resigned. God’s will be done.’”
Major Von Borcke, General Stuart’s former aide who had not yet recovered from his severe wound, was also in Richmond. After McClellan went away, Von Borcke remained at his chieftain’s side. He tells us that he sat on the bed, holding the general’s hand and handing him crushed ice which he ate in great abundance and which was applied to cool his burning wound. Everyone was hoping that Mrs. Stuart would arrive in time to be with him before he passed from earth.
Finally the general drew Von Borcke to him, and after bidding him farewell said, “Look after my family after I am gone and be the same true friend to my wife and children that you have been to me.” These were his last connected words.
At eight o’clock the end came, and it was three hours later before Mrs. Stuart arrived. The destruction of bridges and a fearful storm had caused delay in the trip from Beaver Dam. Owing to the telegraph lines being broken, the tidings that General Stuart was wounded did not reach his wife until noon on May 12.
At the time of his death, May 12, Stuart was just thirty-one years old. Yet through his high ideals, his devotion to duty, and his military genius, he had risen to a position of great trust and honor in the service of his country for which he laid down his life. Such a death, crowning such a life, is glorious and inspiring. One feels that Horatius, the noble Roman, indeed spoke truly when he said: